SEBASTOPOL (BCN) -- Supporters of the West County Health Centers in Sonoma County will demonstrate for health care reform on Friday and on Sept. 25.
The peaceful demonstrations will also call attention to the role of and need for community health care centers.
Supporters say the health care system would save $212 billion between 2010 and 2019 if community health care centers and clinics are expanded to serve 20 million more patients.
In March health care centers in the country were serving 18 million people, according to the National Association of Community Health Centers.
Friday's demonstration in downtown Sebastopol is between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. at state Highway 116/S. Main Street and Bodega Highway. Supporters will then walk to the Sebastopol Community Health Center at 6800 Palm Ave.
On Sept. 25 supporters will hold a peaceful demonstration in the Guerneville Plaza at Main Street/Highway 116 at Armstrong Woods Road/First Street in Guerneville between 1-2 p.m.
The West County Health Centers network includes the Russian River Health Center, Sebastopol Community Health Center, Occidental Area Health Center, Forestville Teen Clinic and the Russian River Dental Clinic and Mental Health Services.
The West County Health Centers served 8,334 patients in 2008 but the number of patients is growing and should approach 10,000 by the end of the year, fundraising manager Jennifer Neely said.
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